clench
Squeeze with force
Clench means to close or grip tightly.
You clench your fist by curling fingers firmly into the palm.
You clench your teeth or jaw by pressing them together hard—often from anger, determination, or pain: She clenched her jaw and said nothing.
The word suggests tension and force held in check.
Something clenched stays closed through muscular effort: His hands were clenched at his sides.
Intense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- fistTightly closed hand
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
gritting · seethe · frustration · hostility · resentment · indignation · outrage · temper
Secure manual hold
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- tightenMake more secure
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- knucklesFinger-to-hand joints
palm · fingers · punch · strike · white-knuckled · curl · closed · balled
Strained or nervous
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- flexTense a muscle
- tightenMake more secure
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
spasm · cramp · strain · rigidity · stiffness · coil · brace · hold
Persistent apprehensive distress
- tensionStretched or strained state
- pressureForce upon contact
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
tight · wound up · uptight · strain · worry · restless · edgy · gripping
rage
Intense, violent anger
teeth · gritting · seethe · frustration · hostility · resentment · indignation · outrage · temper · aggression
grip
Secure manual hold
knuckles · palm · fingers · punch · strike · white-knuckled · curl · closed · balled · pumped
tense
Strained or nervous
squeeze · spasm · cramp · strain · rigidity · stiffness · coil · brace · hold · core
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- tensionStretched or strained state
- pressureForce upon contact
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
apprehension · tight · wound up · uptight · strain · worry · restless · edgy · gripping · knot
teeth
Enamel-covered chewing structures
bruxism · lockjaw · mandible · tense · tight · set · grimace · stress · TMJ · mouthguard
grit
Determination or abrasive particles
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
fortitude · willpower · steely · unwavering · steadfast · firm · braced · focused · committed · endurance
- muscle movementscontraction, flexion, extension, twitch, spasm
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- mouth actionsbite, biting, chewing, chew, swallowing
- holding firmhold, hold fast, hold firm, hold on, hold onto
- seizinggrab, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch
- body actionsbreathe, inhale, exhale, swallow, blink
- clenched fistTightly closed hand
- clenched jawTensed mouth, teeth together
- clenched teeth
- jaw clenchingInvoluntary facial muscle tension
- clenching fistsClosing hands tightly
- teeth clenchingForceful bite without chewing
clenched, unclench, clenching, clenches, unclenched, unclenching